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Thursday, April 21, 2016

Army opens new Leopard II tank maintenance facility

Colonel Daniel MacIsaac cuts the red ribbon during the Grand Opening of the Leopard II Main Battle Facility with military personnel and civilians are in attendance at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, Oromocto, New Brunswick. (Photo credit: Stephanie MacGillivray, Tactics School, 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown).

The new Leopard II Main Battle Tank Maintenance Facility was officially opened today at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. The Leopard II Main Battle Tank Maintenance Facility is a one storey, 1,740 m² maintenance and storage building. Two of the maintenance bays allow for full turret rotation and the third bay is dedicated to standard maintenance.

Colonel Daniel MacIsaac, Commander 5th Canadian Division Support Group was on hand today to showcase the Facility, which also features a new 52-tonne crane. Total construction cost for both buildings was $6.7 million.

“I am very pleased to officially open this new facility," Col MacIssac said. "It will contribute to the success of our mission by enabling the work of our professional maintainers to keep the equipment functioning at its optimum capacity, and to keep the training mission on target.’’

The building was designed to Green Globes standards and its energy efficiency was increased through the use of equipment such as energy-efficient lighting fixtures, lamps and ballasts, lighting controls, energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, high-efficiency boilers, energy-efficient hot water service systems, and building automation systems.

In addition to the newly constructed Leopard II Main Battle Tank Maintenance Facility, the existing building also underwent upgrades. The eight service bays in the existing building had concrete slabs upgraded so that the floor can take the point loads of the Leopard II on jack stands. Ventilation, mechanical, and electrical services were also upgraded.

The new building consists of open and closed office space; a conference room; washrooms; three maintenance bays; a power pack storage room; a supply storage room for engines and major assemblies storage (EMAS); small parts storage; and storage space for petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL).

The main battle tank and its heavily protected direct fire capability continue to be relevant on the modern battlefield. The Leopard II has proven itself as a deterrent to attacks and has allowed Canadian soldiers to safely cross terrain impassable for wheeled vehicles. Tanks can also provide our troops with direct-fire capability to destroy obstacles and can save lives by providing soldiers with a high level of protection. The Leopard II is a key element of the warfighting capability of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Our Leopard II Tanks are an important part of the Canadian Armed Forces and this new facility will help ensure that the equipment our soldiers use on a daily basis remains safe and effective as they support readiness training at home and operations abroad,” said Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.